Wedding Season in Jaipur

Jaipur is a wonderful city, home to the Amber Fort and many other attractions. However, I think we will always remember Jaipur as our introduction to wedding season.  Did you know there was such a thing? 

The Amber Fort, built in 1592.

Watching elephants climb up the hill, and into the fort was quite amazing.

A guard led us, by ourselves, through a labyrinth of dark halls and stairways to the very top of the fort.  We were the only people up there.

The view looking down on the fort intrigued me.

We are staying at the Jai Mahal Palace.  It is a 267 year old former home of maharajahs and the prime minister of Jaipur. It is now a hotel, but it retains its beauty with 18 acres of beautifully landscaped Mughal gardens.

I can't believe I only took one photo  of the hotel.  This is a photo of  a pre wedding party.   They are waiting for the groom to arrive on a white horse.

Because the hotel is so beautiful, it is a perfect spot for weddings.  We were here for 3 nights and there were two weddings and a sit down dinner for 350. The first night we heard drumming and excited voices.  We assumed that it was the hotel dance show that is performed every night.  Boy were we surprised to find the commotion was a full blown wedding on the lawn, around the corner from our room.  Unfortunately we missed the groom arriving on his white horse, and the bride being carried in a sedan chair by 8 young men.  By the time we went down on the lawn to see what the activity was, the ceremony was happening.  As we stood on the side lines watching, waiters brought us a beverage and wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

After the serious portion of the wedding was over, the guests began to go through the buffet line and the music cranked up.  It was fun at first but the techno music got louder and louder as the dancers moved to the dance floor.

We never thought we'd sleep, but precisely at 10 p.m. the music stopped.

In the morning the gorgeous decorations were gone and you never knew a wedding had taken place.

Last night, right in front of our window a dinner for 350 international bigwigs took place.  We watched the set up, and worried about the decibel levels. We were amazed at the beauty of the decorations, the army of wait staff, and we enjoyed listening to the band warm up. It was a lovely event, complete with dancing girls.  It was easy to go to bed listening to the traditional Indian music.

Tables set for 350 bigwigs.

Wait staff getting their orders.  I think there were as many waiters as guests. That's the hotel in the background.

The band.

An army of waiters in their pink turbans.

The chefs are ready.

Tonight is our last night in Jaipur and another wedding is unfolding under our bedroom window.  This time I have the presence of mind to check it out and take photos.  We will probably miss most of the activity since we will be dining at the home of a Rajasthani family until 9:30.  Here's what this modest wedding for 100 guests looks like so far. As I write this, the brass band has already started.  It's going to be a lively night.

The buffet line with a waiter, prepared for the guests.

Modest center piece at each table.

Decoration on the walkways.

The guests will watch the ceremony from these couches.

Setting up the floral decor.  This will all be gone in the morning.

Last minute prep at the buffet line.

There were 4 of these big drums.  

Drummers having a pre wedding meeting.

Each wedding is unique.  The second wedding  started with a traditional brass band.  It was in full swing as we were driving out for our dinner engagement.  We saw the groom on his white horse, and just as we were leaving the hotel grounds there was an elephant!!! On top was a beautiful bride in her red sari.  Our guide, Naveen, explained that the bride was probably an American, as no Indian bride would ever ride in on an elephant.  That is definitely not part of the culture.  But it was a thrill for us.

I am happy to report that we got home from our dinner at 9:30 and the dance music was over by 10:30 so I got a good night's sleep.  I understand, though, that the party moved indoors to a banquet hall and the raucous party continued long into the night.